Page 19 of Keeping Katie

Scarlet giggles. “We watch it all the time. They love the movie, but they like to act like a bunch of curmudgeons. Do you likeBeauty and the Beast?”

Grady’s gaze is on me. I feel it as if he were actually touching me. Forcing myself to keep my eyes on Scarlet, I nod. “I love it. I want Beast’s library.”

Cali grins. “You should see Grady’s library. It’s huge. He has several first editions of really famous books.”

I cock my head, surprised by that. Most people don’t have a room for books in their houses unless they love to read. Grady doesn’t give me bookworm vibes.

“You have a library?” I ask with a small smile.

“Aye. But if you tell me you read mob books like the rest of these girls do, I’m afraid I won’t have a selection you’d like.”

“Well, that’s the thing about libraries,” I reply. “They can always be added to. Everyone needs mob books in their collection.”

Cali bursts out laughing while Grady looks at me like he isn’t sure whether to laugh or roll his eyes.

“Jesus Christ. What is it with you girls and reading about men in the mafia? Declan asks.

“Like I keep telling you, Daddy. Someone’s gotta show you guys how to run the mafia correctly. How are we supposed to know unless we read about it?” Cali shrugs.

My eyes practically bulge from my face. Did I just hear that right? How much wine did I drink?

“I take it from the look on your friend’s face that she doesn’t know what we do?” Bash asks.

Chloe comes around the table and grabs me by the hand. “Maybe we should go get the movie ready.” Then she pulls me from the room with Cali, Scarlet, and Paisley following.

We’re all silent as we walk through the house, the tension so thick I’m surprised we can’t see it. I’m practically bursting with questions while panicking at the same time.

I’m momentarily distracted when we walk into an enormous room full of plush couches and a huge screen on the wall. There are blankets and pillows on every piece of furniture, and there’s even a popcorn machine off to one side. Next to it, a display rackholds boxes of all different types of candy. The room is awesome. A movie-lover’s dream for sure.

Once my amazement wears off, I turn toward the women. They all look a bit nervous.

“I have so many questions,” I hiss quietly.

Chloe bobs her head. “I know. I’m sorry. I should have prepared you.”

“Ya’ think?” I ask. “Are they really in the mafia? And why do you all call them Daddy? And why did Grady threaten to spank you? Oh my God, I feel like I’m in a book right now or something. I mean, a snowstorm in March? Come on. This is just some wild dream I’m having. Right?”

I wait for one of them to confirm my dream theory, but none of them do. Instead, Chloe guides me to a couch and sits down with me.

“To answer your questions, yes. They’re in the mafia,” she says. “Actually, they kind ofarethe mafia. They’re the top six of the Irish American Mafia. Declan is the boss.”

My mouth drops open.

Chloe continues. “All of us call our men Daddy because they are Daddy Doms, and we’re their submissives.”

“They like tothinkwe’re their submissives. We’re the ones who are actually in control,” Paisley says with a smirk.

Scarlet snorts. “That’s kind of true. I mean, they do discipline us if we disobey a rule or do something dangerous, but they also treat us like queens and pretty much give us anything and everything we want.”

“It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, though. They’re difficult men. Controlling, possessive, jealous as hell. Most of the time, they’re unreasonable and so freaking stubborn.” Cali rolls her eyes. “But they love us unconditionally, and they would die for us.”

I swallow, trying to absorb what they’re telling me. I’ve read about Daddy Doms before. Several times, actually. I’ve even wondered if I’m a Little because of some of my mannerisms and the fact that I still sleep with a stuffed toy.

“Are you Littles?”

They look at each other like they’re not sure how to answer. Chloe finally shrugs. “Sometimes? There are different degrees of being Little. None of us go super young, but we enjoy doing Little stuff like coloring, crafts, and watching Disney movies. Our Daddies like to treat us like we’re Little a lot. They cut up our food and feed us sometimes, or they make us take naps or have an early bedtime. Basically, we don’t really define what we are. We do what makes us happy and comfortable.”

Huh. That sounds… pretty freaking amazing.

---